Night Jog I

After eating, Terry insists his mother to rest. He then starts to wash the dishes.

Her mother, still confused about what's going on, decided to let her son do what he wants.

"What's with you today Little Terry? It's not like you. And where did you learn to cook? It tastes so good. I don't remember teaching you how to cook, or did I?" His mom asked with a questioning look.

"I happened to read books about cooking in the library these past few weeks. I think that I have an affinity with cooking so I start experimenting and the result is what you tasted." He already thought of an alibi earlier so he can answer an inquiry without a pause. "Mom, from today onwards, let me do simple tasks like this, it's not like I'm busy doing anything anyways." Terry said as he washes the dishes.

"You should enjoy your school days, your about to graduate in high school. Just leave these chores to me." Then she stood up and look outside the window to admire the stars. "What do you want when you go to college? I've saved a little money for your education. I guess it'll do for your tuition for the first semester." She then turns to look at Terry, waiting for his response.

Terry finished washing the dish and was drying his hands when he heard his mother's inquiry. He answered, "You don't have to worry about my studies mom, I'll find work this summer break, I'll try to earn enough money for my own tuition, I'll just ask you for more if I don't earn enough." He paused and continued, "And I haven't decided on what I want for college so let me think about it some more." He knows his mom's attitude, that she will insist that he use her hard-earned money for his studies. That's why he said that he will 'ask' for more, just to stop her mother's insistence.

Like what terry thought, her mother didn't insist. Since she thinks that her son is being responsible and trying to stand in his own feet, she didn't dissuade him. Also, she knows that their living condition is not that good, and what she gets from working in the factory was just barely enough for their daily necessities.

"Okay Little Terry, just say it when you need it. I saved money just for your studies you can use it as long as you need it." his mom said with a smile.

Looking at her son who starts to think maturely, she noticed something dangling in his neck. "What is that in your neck?" she questioned while she reaches out her hand to look at it closely.

Terry seeing her mom's hand reaching for his necklace almost subconsciously slap her hands, but managed to control his action. 'I guess it's OK since it's mom.' he let her hand reach for his necklace.

His mother's hand then reaches for the maple leaf pendant and said, "Where did you get this? It's way out of fashion." She commented then let go of the pendant.

Terry made a questioning look. He thought that his mom would reach for his ring but it felt like she didn't even notice the ring beside the pendant. 'Did she just ignore the ring? Or she didn't see it?' Since his mom didn't mention anything about his ring, he didn't need to explain it.

He just casually made a lie, "I found it in a book while I'm reading. I think it looks good. I like this pendant very much, it makes me comfortable."

They talk about random things for a while. When her mother suddenly remembered something and exclaimed. "I almost forgot. I haven't washed your uniform. You go to bed early. I'll just wash your uniform then rest for the night."

She's about to stand when Terry smilingly said, "I already washed my uniform so you go rest early mom."

Shocked, his mom can only say, "You've really grown Little Terry. OK, I'll rest early, I'm also a bit tired today." She then walks towards the small room which served as her bedroom. She was still lost in thought about her son's sudden change of attitude. 'Well, it's for the best.' She can only be happy with these changes.

Terry was left alone in the living room. He looked at the time on the clock and decided to do a light jog since it's a little early to sleep. He decided to wear his old jacket and worn out rubber shoes. While he readied himself, he suddenly heard his mom's voice. "Little Terry you too, should rest early. You still have a class tomorrow. Don't waste your time on your cellphone."

"Okay mom," he answered. Hearing his mother's reminder, only then he remembered it. He didn't know if it's just out of battery or if it's broken. He walks to his 'Room' and found it. He tried to open it but to no avail. He looked for his charger to charge his phone, then he decides to proceed with his jogging instead of waiting for it to be charged.

He walks out as silently as possible, for him not to alert his mother.

As he stepped out of their apartment unit he looks up in the sky to admire the beauty of the stars. He then took a deep breath then start to stretch. If you look from afar, you would find it funny to see a thin youth stretching at night, but if you look at him closely, you would see how refined his movements are.

After stretching, he then starts his jog. His route will be to run a lap or two around their zone.

The city they live in was divided into 10 districts while these districts were divided into zones. The lower the number, the higher the living conditions were. They live in the 10th district, Zone 12, which can be considered as the poorest zone in the poorest district.

Apart from the numbered zones, there was a special zone called 'Red Zone'. They classified the slums as part of this zone, wherein all sort of people resides. Murderers, drug dealers, hackers and any other people you can think of can be found in the 'Red Zone'. It was considered as one of the richest zones in a city even though the slums were part of it. The government let the 'Red Zone' run on its own without interfering. Only when the people on the 'Red Zone' start to do their work in the government-protected districts will the authorities act against them.

As he jogs in the alleyways and into the streets, he's thinking about everything that happened to him. From that leap atop the leaf building, his 'Re-do' and his reunion with his mother. So many things occurred in just a span of a few hours that's why he's a bit muddleheaded right now. This jog might help him refresh and arrange all thoughts in his mind.

Although he has an undernourished body right now, he still possessed all his experience from his previous life so he knew simple techniques to accommodate what he's lacking. Just a simple breathing technique would do the trick. That is why Terry was confident that he can run around the zone even though his body is weak.

A few minutes in his jog and he was already sweating so much so he decided to stop for a little rest to catch his breath before continuing. He looked for a bench to sit and manage to find one opposite to a convenience store.

It's a bit dark in the place where he sits due to busted street light so few people dare to walk in that side of the street. He sat comfortably at a dark corner. He didn't mind the darkness at all but instead felt comfortable. 'It feels like I'm scouting.' He chuckled at this thought.

"I'm thirsty." He mumbled as he stares at the vending machine near him. He wanted to buy a drink but he forgot to bring money, well, actually he didn't really have any money.

'Hay, I guess I should start to think about how to acquire money easily.' As he was lost in thought planning for the future, he noticed that two people got out of a store from afar, a man and a woman. The woman's build was petite and she wore a simple dress which made her look charming. Her attire paired with her smile seemed to light up the darkness of the night. The man accompanying her rather was good looking. He wore a suit which looked really expensive, but when Terry looked at his eyes, he was sure that this guy's not a good person. Those scheming eyes, he really hates those kinds of eyes.

In his previous life, he had seen a lot of eyes like this. People who possess these eyes were always up to no good. And most of the people he met who possessed these eyes end up either dead or in prison.

The two walk side by side while they walk towards a parked car. He didn't know anything about cars but he knew that the car was expensive. A man on suit steps out of the driver's seat to open the door for the two people. As the two enter the car, the driver closed the door, scanned the surroundings before getting in the car.

'Amateur' Terry can't help but comment in his mind. He lost all his interest the moment the man stepped out of the car.

Observing people became his natural habit. Even an old woman will be evaluated by his eyes. One of the most common requirements in being good at his profession is the ability to adapt to unexpected situations, so every variable should be considered.

As he watches the car drove off, he started to walk towards the vending machine. He was looking left and right ensuring that no one's looking, then he suddenly rushes into the vending machine. Using his shoulder, he rammed the vending machine hard.

"Bang"

The sound of a crash startled the few people inside the convenience store. Some ran out to check what happened, only to see a young man jogging while holding a bottle of soda. The young man also stopped, looked left and right like he's also looking for the source of the sound, then proceed with his jog.

Seeing nothing unusual, the alerted individuals went back to the store.

.....

Terry who is the culprit of the loud sound was enjoying the fruit of his labor.

He learned the technique "100% drop rate" that he used earlier from a foreign friend. He never tried it in his previous life but found it hard to believe that it's really effective. 'Correct angle and speed.' the word that the foreigner always says as he brags about his 'Achievements'.

After he finished his 'hard-earned' drink, he threw the bottle on a garbage bin then proceed with his jog. He slows his pace to observing the surrounding. Well, he's actually looking for another vending machine for target practice. But to his disappointment, he didn't manage to find another one.